This summer, the Youth Bible Days took place in Tuningen for the first time since Covid. The theme of the Youth Bible Days was “The Race of Your Life.” The training camp for young Christians from all over Germany could begin. The verses from 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 guided us:
“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (ESV)
I was really looking forward to the Youth Bible Days 2022. I was quite discouraged in my faith and desperately needed the fellowship and encouragement of the sermons. I knew I absolutely had to go to the living spring of Jesus Christ to be refreshed again. And God is simply great! The time of prayer and sharing together was so valuable. The theme of the Youth Bible Days could not have been more appropriate in my situation. Through each teaching session, we were encouraged to keep going and not to give up.
Above all, the testimony sessions were a great blessing. I’m thankful for each individual who went forward stood before the others with complete honesty and shared what God had done in their lives. The oppressive silence that one knows from many a testimony hour was not present at all. Some were already standing at the side ready to go forward. And even at the second testimony hour, people were just streaming forward to glorify God. This really made me realize that I am not alone and that every single person in this room is struggling with their difficulties. We are on the race track together.
In 2017, the race began for some of the youth when they became saved. And now we were in the middle of it. By comparing ourselves to an athlete and his goal-oriented lifestyle, the themes were presented to us in very tangible and vivid ways. As in sports, discipline, endurance, and regular training play an important role in the life of a Christian. The units were structured accordingly. Spiritual training, your personal trainer, and dealing with defeats were all topics that are not only relevant in the sports world. Many well-known and also unknown athletes were used as examples to learn from their lives and their victories and defeats.
As in every year, these Youth Bible Days went by way too fast. I think I can speak for all the participants that the days were blessed, and we were strengthened and edified in our faith. Through the days together, one thing became especially clear:
We have the best personal trainer possible at our side, and He will do everything He can to get us across the finish line. Jesus is the victor! Amen.
T. I.
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